What smell mosquitoes hate the most is subject to research, but studies show catnip, specifically nepetalactone found in catnip oil, is one of most hated by mosquitoes, being up to 10 times more effective than DEET in lab repellency tests, followed by oil of lemon eucalyptus containing PMD, which is most effective EPA-registered natural repellent for humans. Mosquitoes rely on olfactory receptors to detect carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and skin odors, and strong smells overwhelm those receptors. Catnip oil was found in research by Iowa State University to be extremely repellent to mosquitoes. Among commonly available smells, citronella is well known as mosquitoes hate citronella oil from lemongrass, though its protection is short-lived and limited to few feet. Other smells mosquitoes hate include lavender, which contains linalool, peppermint, eucalyptus, cedarwood, basil, rosemary, and garlic, which is used in yard barrier sprays because mosquitoes avoid it. For personal protection, CDC recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus as most effective natural smell that mosquitoes hate, providing up to 6 hours protection. For yard, garlic and cedar oil sprays are hated and used by companies like Mosquito Joe as natural option. No smell provides 100 percent absolute elimination, but catnip and oil of lemon eucalyptus are most hated and scientifically supported, while citronella is most popular but less effective long-term.
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